Royal Christmas

Every year, the British royal family gathers atSandringham House to spends their Christmas and New Year festivities together. Since 1988, the family has been spending their holidays at the Queen's country estate in Norfolk.

They also lay out their presents and exchange gifts at teatime on Christmas Eve. Her Majesty also gifts all members of the royal household and also personally hands out presents to some staff at Buckingham Palace.

Royal family's Christmas lunch

According to royal biographer Kenneth Rose, the Queen demands that every year the royal kids are seated in a different room from the adults for Christmas lunch.

The late journalist who noted his conversations with the royals, wrote that the Queen's cousin, Prince Edward, said the monarch herself organises the seating arrangement saying: “The grown-ups are in one big room, the children in another.”

Queen’s fall during Christmas

One can imagine that Christmas at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk would be quite formal. But on one occasion, a hilarious situation occurred. Queen Elizabeth actually fell at the table.

Royal author Thomas Blaikie in his book What A Thing To Say To The Queen, claims the British monarch was left red-faced after she "fell on her bum" during Christmas at her country estate in Norfolk. From excerpts from his book, Thomas wrote:

One Christmas Day, a junior footman thought The Queen was getting up from the table so he removed her chair for her.
Unfortunately, she wasn't and as the Queen went to sit back down she fell straight on the floor. Surprised but unhurt, the Queen was soon as amused as the rest of her family.

Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas tradition

During Christmas, many families havetheir own traditions that makes the festive period special for them and the royals are no exception.

Her Majesty is said to have a number of traditions for the festive season including attending church service at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham and a formal diner. The family also gathers in the ballroom to watch Christmas movies.